U.S. House of Reps supports Iraq withdrawal

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed by a narrow margin a new bill, which funds the war in Iraq on the condition that troops are withdrawn by September 2008.

$US 124 BLN in funding for Iraq and Afghanistan was included in the bill, which was passed 218 to 212.

“Proudly, this new Congress, voted to bring an end to the war in Iraq,” said Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

“They set an arbitrary date for withdrawal without regard for conditions on the ground. And they tacked on billions for pet projects that have nothing to do with winning the war on terror. This bill has too much pork, too many conditions and an artificial timetable for withdrawal,” said President Bush.

Now the debate moves to the U.S. Senate, where due to high Republican opposition, the measure is unlikely to pass with the deadline intact.

President Bush has indicated that if the bill does get through the Senate and reaches his desk he will veto the measure.